Greetings! If you’re interested in learning how to count from one to ten in Chinese, you’re in the right place. Whether you need to use these numbers formally or informally, this guide will provide you with all the information you need, along with various tips and examples. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways:
If you want to count formally in Chinese, use the following guide:
一 (yī) – One
二 (èr) – Two
三 (sān) – Three
四 (sì) – Four
五 (wǔ) – Five
六 (liù) – Six
七 (qī) – Seven
八 (bā) – Eight
九 (jiǔ) – Nine
十 (shí) – Ten
Informal Ways:
When it comes to informal counting in Chinese, many variations exist due to different dialects and regional accents. Here are some commonly used informal expressions:
1. Yāo-gwǒ-zhě (幺-二-斋):
This informal counting method is prevalent in many parts of China, especially in the north. It is often used among family and friends.
幺 (yāo) – One
二 (èr) – Two
斋 (zhāi) – Three
四 (sì) – Four
五 (wǔ) – Five
六 (liù) – Six
七 (qī) – Seven
八 (bā) – Eight
九 (jiǔ) – Nine
十 (shí) – Ten
2. Lāng-èr-bā (浪-二-八):
This counting system is commonly used in Shanghai and surrounding regions. It has a playful tone and is often utilized in informal settings.
浪 (làng) – One
二 (èr) – Two
八 (bā) – Three
四 (sì) – Four
五 (wǔ) – Five
六 (liù) – Six
七 (qī) – Seven
八 (bā) – Eight
九 (jiǔ) – Nine
十 (shí) – Ten
Tips and Examples:
Here are some helpful tips and examples to enhance your understanding of counting in Chinese:
1. Tonal Variations:
Be aware that tones can differ in different regions of China. For instance, “一 (yī)” can be pronounced as “yāo” in some dialects. Pay attention to the tonal variations when learning colloquial counting methods.
2. Counting Objects:
When counting objects, you should use the measure word “个 (gè)” after the number. For example, “一个 (yī gè)” means “one (object),” and “两个 (liǎng gè)” means “two (objects).”
3. Counting People:
When counting people, you should use the measure word “位 (wèi)” after the number. For instance, “一位 (yī wèi)” means “one person,” and “三位 (sān wèi)” means “three people.”
4. Age Expression:
Chinese people often use numbers as euphemisms to express age. For example, “三十多 (sān shí duō)” means “thirty-something,” and “五十几 (wǔ shí jǐ)” means “fifty-something.”
5. Counting Days and Dates:
When counting days or dates, you should use the word “号 (hào)” after the number. For instance, “十五号 (shí wǔ hào)” means “the fifteenth (day).”
Congratulations! You now have a better understanding of how to count from one to ten in Chinese. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to put your new knowledge into action.
Happy learning and best of luck with your Chinese language journey!
